Idol fun Idol fun (March 18, 2005)

TV show sets scene for women to feast and party hearty
by Cathy Jetter

Driving down Abbie Street on a Tuesday evening takes a bit of maneuvering as cars line both sides of the narrow street. Small groups of women, exceptional in their good looks and excellent fashion sense, head up the block toward one brightly lit house, steps quickening in anticipation as they near the path leading to the front door.

Enticing aromas emanate from the entry, encouraging the visitors to follow their noses through an elegant living area and into a warmly inviting kitchen. A handwritten menu, reading like the cover of a gourmet magazine, announces the night's fare: roasted beef, creamed spinach, whipped potatoes and chocolate dipped strawberries.

Is this the site of a clandestine restaurant hidden in the quiet downtown Pleasanton neighborhood? No, it's simply "American Idol" night at Jill Copeland's home.

While other suburban women take time out for fun at book clubs and bunko, Jill and her friends are celebrating the world of "American Idol." Through three-and-a-half seasons of the popular reality show they have been doing it in style, with good company, great food, and a wide assortment of cocktails.

"We start in January with the first show and continue once a week, on Tuesdays, through the season finale in May," said Jill as she poured a Cosmopolitan for one of the lucky invitees. "Then the 'American Idol' stars go on tour for the summer, and we take a break until the show starts up again the following January."

An interior designer by trade, Jill is an entertainer at heart. After obtaining her degree at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Jill needed to find an outlet for her newly perfected skills, and American Idol Tuesdays were born.

"I started off inviting eight or 10 girlfriends over for dinner and the show," she recalled. "From there it just kept growing. Now there are 20 to 30 women every week, some of them are regulars and some are friends of friends. They are all welcome. I just ask that everyone calls and lets me know that they are coming so I can make sure there is enough food."

And enough slippers.

"Oh, yes," said Jill with a laugh. "I have slippers waiting for everyone. They are much more comfortable than the shoes most of the ladies wear straight from work, and they keep your feet warm."

The soft and fuzzy boots give an instant mood lift to the wearer; with pink fur on your feet, you are certainly ready to party.

A good party starts with plenty of good food. No one goes hungry on Jill's watch. Gourmet hors d'oeuvres are just a teaser to the feast that follows.

"Every week I do something different," Jill said. "Lots of times I do a theme, maybe Mexican or Asian. I enjoy doing it all myself; it's a treat for my friends, not a time for them to have to worry about bringing something. I just want the girls to have a good time."

That easily describes the festivities taking place at the Copeland residence. Six televisions - three in the living room, one in the family room, one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom - ensure that not one moment of America's quest for the next pop-star sensation is missed by anyone needing to travel from one room to another. Tantalizing treats on every tabletop keep the crowd fortified for the duration of the program, and of course, the company is exceptional.

All of these women are real achievers, most in the fields of real estate and mortgage brokering, and they use their Tuesday nights to relax, reconnect and regale each other with stories of family and business.

Of course, "American Idol" is their reason to be, and once the performances begin, Jill insists that a level of decorum be maintained.

"We laugh and talk until 8, but then the talking has to be kept to a minimum except during commercials." This directive is consistently ignored as the ladies express opinions and offer insights on everything from what the contestants wear and how they perform, to how this season compares to those previously viewed.

"We all have our favorites and we don't always agree on who should win," said Staci Armario, a regular at the weekly gatherings. "It's just part of the fun of being together."

During Idol's off-season the women stay in touch and see each other often, but nothing compares to the regularity of the Idol events. Jill acknowledged it has been suggested that other reality shows might provide excellent motive for getting together year-round, but she thinks she'll stick with "American Idol."

"Besides," she added, pointing at the SOLD sign in her front yard, "this summer I will be redoing the new house on Division Street; it should be ready just in time for the start of next season."

Without a doubt, Jill's friends will continue to enjoy her parties wherever they may take place. While Simon, Paula, Randy and the rest of America get to vote the country's next singing sensation to instant fame and fortune, fans of the Idol parties are unanimous in their opinion: Jill is the real star of the show.

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